What should have been a trip of a lifetime ended in tragedy for "larger than life" Deal backpacker Christian Sloan.

Mr Sloan, 24, of Walmer Way, fell to his death in an incident at the Dantala waterfall in the Lam Dong province of Vietnam.

Sisters Beth Anderson, 24, and Isobel Squire, 19, of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, were also killed in the accident.

Mr Sloan's parents described him as "a hard working, very popular Deal lad who was well known around the town as ‘the legend’ for his lovely smile, keep fit and lust for life attitude."

In a statement they said: “He was part of a big crowd of Deal friends well known for enjoying holidays around the world and attending the large summer festivals around the country.

“We would like to thank everyone for the support and condolences at this very difficult and trying time.

“Christian was a larger than life character, the kind of person that you knew instantly was one of life’s one-offs, he will leave an enormous void in the lives of his mum and dad, brother Ashley, sister Katie-­leigh, his nephews and nieces and all that knew him.

“He will be missed and remembered forever.”

Christian had travelled via Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos with his friend James McGlashan, who flew back to the UK this week, working extra shifts at DFDS Seaways to pay for the trip.

The pair had been planning the trip for months to get the adventure just right.

Christian was a former Walmer Science College pupil and had more than 10 years experience with the Royal Navy, joining properly in 2008 as a boy sailor, passing out from Sultan as a Marine Engineer Mechanic.

He also served on the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and the type 42 Destroyer HMS Edinburgh.

Christian got his first taste of Royal Navy life at 13 when he flew out to Gibraltar by himself to join his sister Katie-Leigh serving on the type 42 destroyer HMS Exeter which was on its way home to Portsmouth after an eight month Far East deployment.

A year later, aged 14, he flew out again to Gibraltar accompanied by his dad, to meet his sister on another trip on back to Portsmouth.

Because of his interest in the Royal Navy Christian went to Portsmouth to do work experience at HMS Sultan.

One of the highlights of his Navy career was being selected to represent HMS Sultan in the famous Navy Field Gun Team.

After the Navy he spent the last three years working shore side for DFDS Seaways at Dover’s Eastern Docks as a shift coordinator.

On Monday evening, friends and colleges from DFDS sent large lighted lanterns into the night sky above the Eastern Docks as a tribute to their former colleague.